First Importance
Notes
Transcript
First Importance
First Importance
Introduce the Text
Read the Text
Preach the Text
Introduce
Introduce
Paul’s first letter to the Corinthians was a response to various stories that he heard about what they were doing. Much like the Galatian church that we looked at the past couple weeks, they are losing sight of the Gospel and the liberty and salvation it brings. He begins this letter by addressing the division they are facing because of baptisms, communion, money, status, lawsuits, spiritual gifts, and other things. The last thing that Paul covers is the resurrection of Christ and the importance of it.
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Read
12 Now if Christ is proclaimed as raised from the dead, how can some of you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? 13 But if there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised. 14 And if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is in vain and your faith is in vain. 15 We are even found to be misrepresenting God, because we testified about God that he raised Christ, whom he did not raise if it is true that the dead are not raised. 16 For if the dead are not raised, not even Christ has been raised. 17 And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile and you are still in your sins. 18 Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished. 19 If in Christ we have hope in this life only, we are of all people most to be pitied. 20 But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. 21 For as by a man came death, by a man has come also the resurrection of the dead. 22 For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive.
Preach
Preach
Outline
Outline
Introduction
Introduction
I. Vv. 1-11
II. Location and history of Corinth
Exegesis
Exegesis
I. Verse-by-Verse
First Importance
First Importance
Our Great Hope
Our Great Hope
Introduction
Introduction
Corinth was located in between the Greek mainland and the Peloponnesian Peninsula. This was a popular trade route where people from all over would pass through and in passing through would share stories, tell of different religions, or even argue and debate philosophy. Not only was it well traveled place, it was a Greek place under Roman control with Christian influence.
All these pagan and worldly influences are pressing in on the Church in Corinth and they are starting to look more like the world. Christians are taking other Christians to court, they are engaging in perverse sexual relations, they are arguing over money and power, and they are discriminating against others. It is no surprise that American, which is also heavily influenced by worldliness is engaging in a lot of these same practices that the Corinthian church was engaged in. There really is nothing new under the sun.
Paul opens this chapter by reminding them of the gospel. He tells them that by holding to the gospel and by believing with faith they will be saved.
Paul tells them that he delivered this news to them as a result of what he recieved...
It did not originate with him, nor was it his to keep. The messenger who tells the good news.
He was dead and raised according to the scriptures (OT) and appeared to 500 witnesses and the apostles and also Paul.
Not that he needs to, but Paul is able to give a personal testimony of the resurrection as he speaks of the grace that he received. If Christ is not raised, how can he receive grace to continue to proclaim this message of good news and salvation.
“You know neither the Scriptures, nor the power of God”
Exegesis
Exegesis
12 Now if Christ is proclaimed as raised from the dead, how can some of you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? 13 But if there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised.
Proclaimed...
500 witnesses and the apostles
14 And if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is in vain and your faith is in vain. 15 We are even found to be misrepresenting God, because we testified about God that he raised Christ, whom he did not raise if it is true that the dead are not raised.
No purpose
We are liars and by misrepresenting God were are under condemnation.
No resurrection means the law is still in place.
16 For if the dead are not raised, not even Christ has been raised. 17 And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile and you are still in your sins.
All the resurrection in the Old Testament and New Testament were done by the power of God that points to Christ resurrection.
Futile faith means that we are not justified, we are not saved, and we are not being sanctified. A faith that produces nothing is no faith at all because faith is a gift from God that will always lead back to him.
18 Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished. 19 If in Christ we have hope in this life only, we are of all people most to be pitied.
We have no hope, we are to be pitied.
20 But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. 21 For as by a man came death, by a man has come also the resurrection of the dead. 22 For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive.
Firstfruits: the best of the best. Psalm 24:7-10
7 Lift up your heads, O gates! And be lifted up, O ancient doors, that the King of glory may come in. 8 Who is this King of glory? The Lord, strong and mighty, the Lord, mighty in battle! 9 Lift up your heads, O gates! And lift them up, O ancient doors, that the King of glory may come in. 10 Who is this King of glory? The Lord of hosts, he is the King of glory! Selah
We are led into the kingdom by the first fruits; Jesus Christ
Federal headship of Adam and of Christ
why Christ had to be truly man.
Why we must be born again
First Importance
First Importance
The Gospel:
The Galatians and the Corinthians were people who had heard the gospel, walked rightly, and lost their way. We are no different in America today.
Why the Church still needs to hear the gospel.
The benefits
the curses
The transition from Easter to ordinary time.
Its because they lost sight of the gospel that they embraced false teachings, that they rejected holiness, and they went astray.
Our Great Hope
Our Great Hope
The Battle is already won
Our sins are forgiven
the difference between Christ’s life and death.
The resurrection is the assurance of our salvation
The gospel gives us a purpose
The gospel reminds us of Psalm 73
25 Whom have I in heaven but you? And there is nothing on earth that I desire besides you. 26 My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.
Christ is our everything; greater than riches and possessions, greater than anything this world has to offer.
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